Kenwood KAC-859

Price Paid:  $0.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 KAC 859

Strengths:
high power, many options on amp, sounds fantastic

Weaknesses:
none, everybody talking about size.... just put it on the back of the rear seat

Summary:
This amp is awesome! It provides high power to all my speakers and is the best amp I have heard bar none. It was given to me by my Uncle because he said my current stereo at the time was lacking. so i replaced the JBL amp (Speakers) and the MTX amp (Sub) (which blew the output transistors btw) and put this one in the place of both of them. But do not skimp on what it is hooked to because if you hook it to garbage it is your own fault.
I have it running 4 infinity kappa's, and a JL sub, off a Alpine head unit and it sounds great.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $150.00 from Online

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 KAC-859

Strengths:
Great amp from a great company.

Weaknesses:
The actually physical size of the amp can make it hard to find a good location for it. I would not recommend putting it under your drivers seat.

Summary:
I have had this amp for a long time now and will be installing it in a 3rd car soon. I have never had any problems or issues with it. Don't go cheap with cabeling or speakers to go with the amp. It is not the amps fault if you buy cheap components. I get plenty of punch from my speakers and crisp clear sound.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $150.00 from eBay (brand new)

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Kenwood KAC-859

Strengths:
Price. Multiple channels for easy install. Warm, clean mids and crisp highs. Kenwood quality and reputation. Built-in crossover.

Weaknesses:
Size. Lack of RCA full-range pass-thru.

Summary:
The reviews by the other users demonstrate the ignorance of most inexperienced amateur installers. Claims that this amplifier is not as powerful as a head unit, or that it has anemic bass output are completely ludicrous. I am using this amp to power nine speakers plus two Aura Bass Shakers in a '93 Aerostar and the output is nothing short of awesome. If you lack the installation know-how to install this amp correctly either fork over the money to have it installed properly or enjoy your car's factory stereo, otherwise don't write slanderous reviews about this amp when your ignorance gets the best of you! I have two tweeters, two 4", two 6x9", two 3-1/2", and one 10" speaker (a 400-watt Audiobahn) plus the aforementioned Aura Bass Shakers (25-watts each) running off this amp, and my system has been running clean and strong for well over a year now. The key is using a decent CD player (mine a Panasonic with front/rear/sub RCA pre-outs @ 2.5volts each), decent power wire (4-gauge minimum), and quality RCA cables. I play my music very loud for extended periods of time...the mono channel is running at 2.67ohms and the rear two channels are at 2-ohms (the fronts are at 4-ohms) and I have none of these supposed "overheating" issues. Purchase this amp with the utmost confidence! Just be sure to install it correctly, and don't expect it to run two 15" competition woofers!

Similar Products Used:
As an ex-installer I have personally installed amplifiers from the majority of the current manufacturers and believe this amp is on-par with the top percentile.

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $189.00 from AAFES

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Kenwood KAC-859

Strengths:
Crisp and clean sound. Stay's cool at high volume. Low distortion at peak output.

Weaknesses:
VERY weak Bass output. BIG!

Summary:
I was enthuastic - to say the least - to hook-up my new KAC-589. Hook up was a sinch. The only problem was finding a spot to put this monster. When all was installed, I powered it up and crossed my fingers, and everything else for that matter. I turned it up... up... up... DRATS!!!!! Where's the beef, I asked? Still, not the output expected from the amp. I checked all the gains (3)... Still not the output I expected from such a big amp. The sound was clear and clean, but the bass was anemic at best. Conclusion: This amp is a jack of all trades. Highs, mids, and bass. It does everything OK. If you wan't a specific sound, you'll have to purchase customize components to match your sound desired. An all-in-one amp like thsi lacks the umpf to produce the bottom bass i wanted.

Price Paid:  $389.00

Strengths:
Bridge for 2ohms stereo & mono sub. Make sure you built a cooler box for it.

Weaknesses:
over heat easily, not enough power for the price

Summary:
It is very sad when your CD deck put out more power (wattage rms)then your Amp.. If you want to have all 5 ch. install but your budget is limited, don't wasted your money on KAC859 or 959. Purchase a 2 ch. amp. for sub and let your deck run all the speakers. These amps so weak, pioneer P7350 (50x4) CD deck will put out cleaner sound (4 ch.)then these amp.. Don't forget about over heated.

Similar Products Used:
If you really like Kenwood, recommend KAC-628 x 3. For the budget, you will be very satisfy.